Miniature rose plant named Morsno

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by white buds and flowers of good substance and keeping qualities.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by white buds and flowers. The general color effect being a clean white.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers, on mature plant, borne both singly and several together in loose spray or cluster.

A light fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded, somewhat upright shape with semi-glossy to matt, small foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and color to Canadian White Star (H.T.--Patent Pending) but in miniature.

The plant, which has a normal height of 14 inches or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse and outdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at Sequoia Nursery, located at Visalia, Calif. under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between #1-72-1 (Little Darling×Yellow Magic), climbing miniature, as the seed parent and Magic Carrousel (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,601) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it, at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding as well as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; rounded -- upright; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration.

Class: Miniature.

International identification.--Variety: Morsno.

Commercial synonym.--Snow Twinkle.

Flowers borne: Often singly but also in loose sprays of 3 to 5 or more on slender wirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, sometimes lightly tinted bronze (outdoors).

Hairs.--Numerous fine very short hairs. Before calyx breaks; size -- small. Form long; pointed with several small foliaceous apendages and numerous very small hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or more of its length.

Color.--Medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors). As calyx breaks, color -- creamy white.

Opening.--Opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35-40 mm (11/2"). p2 Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 35-45 petals arranged regularly plus often several small petaloids.

Form.--High centered then becoming more rounded with petals relaxing loosely outward, and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward becoming pointed making a star shaped flower. Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate (almost round); short acute tip; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with short acute tip; inside -- lanceolate with acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown in plastic greenhouse (September 1987), Visalia, Calif.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- white with small greenish yellow area at base. Inside surface -- white with small greenish yellow area at bases.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface similar to outside petal. Inside surface similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface similar to intermediate petal. Inside surface -- similar to intermediate petal. General color effect; newly opened flowers -- clear white with sometimes a soft ivory tint. Three days open -- color similar but clear white. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off. Flower longevity (September 1987) -- plant in pot 4-5 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-6 days.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Numerous, arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium long, yellow.

Anthers.--Yellow.

Pollen.--Moderate amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; medium length; bunched; color -- yellowish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--Some, ball shaped, orange.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shape; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--Few to several.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; fairly small; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, lanceolate; apex acute; base rounded (sometimes acute). Margin serrate.

Color.--Medium green; new growth -- normal (medium) green.

Rachis.--Medium strength; upperside may have a few very tiny short hairs, grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles.

Stipules.--Short to medium length; narrow to medium width; short length; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded to upright; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color -- medium green.

Thorns.--Moderate amount; slender, slightly curved downward; prickles -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: moderate number. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Visalia, Calif. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, rounded to upright, much branched habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers which are white, sometimes tending to soft ivory color in the bud and opening flower stage; the bud and flower resembling the variety Canadian White Star (H.T.--Patent Pending) in form and color, but in miniature; and further characterized by a plant of vigorous and compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings or by budding, with an abundance of medium size semi-glossy to matt foliage, and an abundance of flowers borne both singly and in loose cluster of 3 to 5 or more. 